Twitter
Advertisement

Anna Hazare has emerged at the last hope of millions

As his anti-graft campaign grows into a national movement, Anna Hazare has become the go-to man for all those browbeaten by the administration.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Social activist Anna Hazare has emerged as a beacon of hope not just to those seeking to curb rampant corruption in the country, but also the large swathe of masses that has lost faith in the system. This disenchanted milieu comes from various walks of life — from cancer patients and doctors waging a losing battle to get a state bent on making profits to enforce the use of pictorial warnings on cigarette packets, to chawl residents stuck in the redevelopment quagmire. 

On Friday, more than 20 survivors of cancers caused by tobacco joined Anna’s campaign. They said they are planning to meet Hazare in Delhi. But apart from supporting his drive against graft, they will make a representation to him about their ongoing struggle with government authorities to enforce the amendment on pictorial warnings on tobacco products.

The patients are organised under Voices of Victims, an NGO which has battled to make the pictorial warnings compulsory since the last two years. “We have come here to support Anna’s campaign and also to urge him to highlight the issue. Millions of young people die every year due to use of tobacco products. We are sure that if Anna takes up the issue, it will be solved. Apart from our NGO, some more cancer patients will join us from AIIMS hospital in Delhi,” said Shailey Hingorani, coordinator of Voice of Victims, who had accompanied the victims to Azad Maidan where many Mumbaikars have assembled to express solidarity with the mass movement.

Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, associate professor, head and neck department of Tata Memorial Hospital, said, “For the last two years, we have been fighting with the government on this issue, but they have not listened to our demand for pictorial warnings. Now Anna is our only hope as he can understand the issue and voice the demand of the people who have suffered from cancer after consuming tobacco products. Instead of supporting the public, the government is interested only in generating revenue from tobacco products.”

Others gathered at the public ground to seek Anna’s help in saving their homes from greedy builders and babus. A group of Tardeo residents joined the anti-graft campaign on Friday and pinned badges to their shirts declaring their support to the campaign. They also wanted Hazare’s help in resolving a long-pending redevelopment issue involving Bhat Chawl in Worli.
“More than five years ago, builders took consent from residents to redevelop our chawl. The builder razed some houses, but now the project is stalled and the builder has not even completed the piling work. Hence, we have decided to meet Anna with our demand that the builder be replaced. We believe that if Anna intervenes, we will get justice,” said Dinesh Ghuge, a resident.

Another group that has given its support to what is becoming a never-seen-before movement are resident doctors. Dr Pankaj Nalwade, president of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), said, “Hazare is fighting for the ordinary people.

Why should we not support this cause? Ultimately, the common man will get benefit of the Bill. All medical college resident doctors have decided to support the campaign.”

“Most of the time, we are fighting with the authorities for our demands. In the future, if we do not get justice from the authorities, we will take guidance from him.”

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement